What is Menopause and its Homeopathic Management

Menopause is defined as the point at which a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

• Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years.
• It typically occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, with an average age of around 51.
• However, the exact timing can vary widely from person to person.
• The period leading up to and following menopause is referred to as perimenopause and post menopause, respectively.

Hormonal Changes:

• Menopause is primarily caused by a decrease in the production of certain hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, by the ovaries.
• These hormones regulate the menstrual cycle and play a crucial role in the reproductive system.

Perimenopause:

• This phase typically starts several years before menopause itself.
• During perimenopause, hormone levels begin to fluctuate, leading to irregular menstrual cycles.
• Women may experience symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, changes in sleep patterns, vaginal dryness, and a decreased libido.

Menopausal Symptoms:

Common symptoms of menopause include

• hot flashes (sudden feelings of warmth and flushing).
• Night sweats.
• Mood changes.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Vaginal dryness.
• Discomfort during intercourse.
• Urinary symptoms (such as frequent urination or urinary incontinence).
• Changes in metabolism leading to weight gain.

Bone Health:

• Estrogen plays a role in maintaining bone density, so decreased estrogen levels during and after menopause can lead to a higher risk of osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened and brittle bones.

Cardiovascular Health:

• The risk of cardiovascular disease may increase after menopause, partly due to hormonal changes but also influenced by other factors such as lifestyle, diet, and exercise.

Reproductive Changes:

• With the onset of menopause, a woman’s fertility declines and eventually ceases.
• It becomes increasingly difficult to become pregnant naturally during perimenopause, and once menopause is reached, pregnancy is no longer possible without medical intervention.

Emotional and Psychological Changes:

• Menopause can be a challenging time emotionally due to hormonal fluctuations and the adjustment to physical changes.
• Some women experience mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression during this period.

Post menopause:

• This is the phase that begins after menopause has been confirmed (12 consecutive months without a period).
• While many menopausal symptoms may begin to lessen during postmenopause, other health considerations, such as bone health and heart health, remain important.

Homeopathic Management :

Lachesis:

• This remedy is often indicated for women who experience intense hot flashes, especially around the time of menopause.
• The person may feel worse from heat and tight clothing.
• There could also be mood swings and a sense of being overwhelmed.
• During change of life, where she has flashes of heat all day, and cold flashes on retiring at night.
• Pain in the left ovarian region, or going from left to right.
•  Acts especially well at beginning and close of menstruation.

Sepia:

• This remedy is often considered for women who feel a sense of indifference or detachment from their surroundings.
• They might experience hot flashes along with a dragging sensation in the pelvis.
• Sepia is also indicated for women who feel fatigued and irritable.
•  Prolapsus of uterus and vagina; pressure and bearing down as if everything would protrude from pelvis; must cross limbs tightly to “sit close” to prevent it; with oppression of breathing.
• Erythism; flushes of heat from least motion; with anxiety and faintness; followed by perspiration over whole body; climacteric.
• Vagina painful, especially on coition.

Pulsatilla:

• Women who are emotional, weepy, and seek comfort might benefit from Pulsatilla.
• It can be used for those who have irregular periods, experience mood swings, and have symptoms that vary frequently.
• Exaggerated sexual desire; nymphomania; wild, beside herself with sexual thoughts; uncontrollable sexual desire.

Ignatia:

• This remedy can be useful for women who are experiencing grief, sadness, and emotional turmoil during menopause.
• It might help alleviate mood swings, anxiety, and even physical symptoms like headaches.
• Feminine sexual frigidity.
• Suppression from grief.
• Weakness of the body coming on suddenly.
• Hysterical debility and fainting fits.
• Fainting in a crowd.
• It is especially useful in the tearful, nervous, sad, yielding, sensitive minds.

Sanguinaria:

• Indicated for women experiencing intense heat and flushing, especially on the face, along with headaches.
• There might be a sensation of heat rising and a feeling of congestion.

Cimicifuga:

• This remedy can be considered for women who experience aches and pains in muscles and joints during menopause, along with emotional symptoms like anxiety and irritability.

Calcarea carbonica:

• Women who experience weight gain, fatigue, and a tendency toward excessive sweating might benefit from this remedy.
• They might also be prone to feeling chilly.

Worked By : Sunitha Asir (Final BHMS)